Conservatives: GOP needs to stand on principle

Published: March 7, 2014 3:00 AM

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OXON HILL, Md. (AP) -- Republican leaders implored conservatives to offer a stark contrast to President Barack Obama's policies and stand firm on principles as a way to win back Senate control in the fall elections and prepare for the 2016 presidential campaign.

Thursday marked the first day of the annual Conservative Political Action Conference, which brought together prospective White House candidates, conservative opinion leaders and tea party activists from coast to coast. With the party facing a tug of war for the soul of the GOP, Republicans made the case that they must unite and offer a different path in the midterm elections.

"You win elections by standing for principle and inspiring people that there is a better tomorrow," said Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, among a group of potential 2016 presidential hopefuls appearing at the conference.

House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, Mitt Romney's running mate in 2012, downplayed divisions within the party as "creative tension" and urged conservative activists to "give each other the benefit of the doubt" in the debate over the party's future.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, facing conservatives who have been slow to embrace him, received applause throughout a speech that highlighted his opposition to abortion and stressed the importance of getting results. "We don't get to govern if we don't win," Christie said.

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The New Jersey governor wasn't invited to last year's conference but had the chance to make his first public address in the Washington area since a political retribution scandal erupted in January. He made no reference to the scandal but criticized media coverage of Republicans, a strategy that plays well among tea party supporters and could help his standing among skeptical conservatives.

"We have to stop letting the media define who we are and what we stand for," he said.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, trying to stare down a tea party primary challenge from businessman Matt Bevin in Kentucky, arrived on stage holding a rifle aloft, then presented it to retiring Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, a favorite of conservatives who received the National Rifle Association's "Courage Under Fire" lifetime achievement award.

If Republicans win back control of the Senate, McConnell will be in a position to lead the chamber -- but first, he must win over wary conservatives and win re-election against Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes, who has the backing of party leaders.